Biotechnology Laboratory

The LSU AgCenter Biotechnology Laboratory (ABL) is a core facility that provides basic and applied research expertise to support researchers in the LSU system as well as those in other academic institutions and industry.

The ABL was formed in 1998 to provide support to faculty in performing biomolecular research. In 2010, the ABL was merged with the Protein Facility in LSU’s College of Basic Sciences. Today, the ABL consists of three units: the Protein Facility, the Plant Transformation Facility and the Animal Cell Culture Facility. The ABL can provide a wide range of services to investigators, often at a fraction of the price of commercial companies.

The Protein Facility is a joint facility between LSU A&M and the LSU AgCenter. The facility occupies seven labs in Harry D. Wilson Laboratories. The Protein Facility is under the direction of Dr. Ted Gauthier and is staffed with two research associates, Dr. Dong Liu and Tamara Chouljenko.

We offer large and small scale peptide synthesis, preparative and analytical scale HPLC, protein expression, circular dichroism, SDS-Page/blotting, 2-D gel electrophoresis, isoelectric focusing, and digital image acquisition and analysis. Total genomic RNA or DNA extraction and purification from different organisms can be performed.

In addition, small or large scale plasmid DNA preparation and purification from E. coli or Agrobacteria is available. Gene cloning from total RNA (by RT-PCR) or genomic DNA (by PCR) or gene of interest subcloning into different plasmid vectors is available. For protein expression in large quantities, the facility can transform tobacco utilizing different Agrobacteria based plasmids. After transformation, in vivo assembly of the infectious tobacco mosaic virus expresses the protein of interest.

The Plant Transformation Facility is located in 105 H.D. Wilson Laboratories. This state-of-the-art facility provides researchers with the infrastructure and expertise in the implementation of molecular biology and genetic engineering technologies in the areas of plant transformation and plant tissue culture. The facility provides multiple research groups centralized access to equipment and instrumentation used in direct and bacterial methods of DNA transmission into plant species of economic interest in Louisiana.

The Animal Cell Culture lab is located in 227 Dalrymple Building. This facility provides tissue culture to various units on campus. It contains equipment and all materials for the storage and maintenance of animal and human cell lines. The LN2 cell storage unit contains over 100 cell lines, and we regularly order new cell lines from ATCC as needed. The researchers that it supplies are testing bioactive compounds and extracts from plants and common foodstuffs to determine various cellular effects in vitro, including nutritional, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activities. The cells provided from this lab are also being used for DNA and RNA extraction and to create diagnostic tools. While we strive to keep our lab pathogen free, we provide cells for the growth of specific pathogens in other labs on campus. The lab has the capacity to produce hybridomas and primary cell cultures, if required. The unit frees students and other investigators from the time-consuming task of maintaining reliable, contaminant-free cell cultures as well as eliminating the need for Biosafety level 2 hoods, incubators and LN2 storage tanks to be maintained in numerous labs throughout campus.We are flexible and always adapting to new challenges in providing human and animal cells for research.

The Bioassay Core Facility is located in 438 Life Sciences Building. The primary mission of the LSU AgCenter Bioassay Core Facility (ABC) is to provide assistance to AgCenter researchers with in vivo animal testing of bioactive compounds. Rodent animal models can be used in “proof of concept” studies to test dietary ingredients, bioactive components and evaluate drug delivery systems. The facility is equipped to prepare, store and feed test diets for research animals as well as perform other analyses such as bomb calorimetry. Knowledge of animal husbandry, nutrition requirements and appropriate handling/collection techniques of the animals allows for assistance in obtaining IACUC protocol approvals and data collection throughout the study. In vivo animal testing is normally required prior to approval of human clinical studies. Data from studies conducted with the assistance of the facility and on-staff DVM allows for validation of safety and health claims before FDA approval. Results can also be used as preliminary data for patents, FDA requirements and as pilot studies for ongoing research and grant submissions.